Suspect Escapes After Asking About Stove
[size=-1]Associated Press[/size]
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A handcuffed burglary suspect escaped from police custody at his home in Puerto Rico after asking an officer if he could turn off his stove, officials said Tuesday.
The incident occurred Monday in the central mountain town of Utuado when Officer Luis Rios Rodriguez arrested 36-year-old Serrail Vega Villafane at his home, police spokeswoman Marisely Zambrana said.
Rios took Vega to the town's courthouse where he was charged with aggravated burglary and weapons possession, Zambrana said. But a prosecutor asked for the keys of the car allegedly used to commit the burglary.
The judge permitted Rios to take Vega back to his home to retrieve the keys, police said. Before leaving the house, Vega asked the officer if he could check his stove to make sure it was turned off.
Taking advantage of the officer's trust, Vega jumped from a second-floor deck and disappeared into surrounding woods, Zambrana said. He remained at large on Tuesday.
A judge fined Vega $36,000 for failing to reappear at the courthouse.
Rios, a 36-year-old officer with about 10 years on the force, was scheduled to go before a police review board to determine whether his actions were negligent.
